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Working Title: Regional Ecologist

Job Class: Natural Resources Specialist Senior Ecological Service

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID:** 89948

+ **Location:** New Ulm

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes – Up to 50%

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary:** Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply:** Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted:** 11/25/2025

+ **Closing Date:** 12/01/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:** Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit:** Ecological and Water Resources

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours:** Day Shift

+ **Days of Work:** Monday-Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes - during Field Season

+ **Salary Range:** $29.25 - $ 42.94/ hourly; $61,074- $89,659 / annually

+ **Classified Status:** Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit:** 214 - MAPE (MN Association of Professional Employees)

+ **FLSA Status:** Exempt-Professional

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) **:** Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is currently seeking to hire one (1) Regional Ecologist, located in New Ulm, Minnesota. This position exists to promote effective conservation of Minnesota’s ecological communities and rare native plants to support sustainable ecological diversity, function, and resilience across the landscape within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) South Region.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

+ Provide leadership, coordination, and technical guidance to integrate ecological information into land management and stewardship on public and private lands in the south region.

+ Work collaboratively with resource managers, agency staff, local units of government, and the public to promote the conservation of Minnesota’s native plants and communities, to support sustainable ecological diversity, function, and resilience across the landscape.

+ Work in all ecosystems, with a priority focus on native prairies and grasslands, including prairie restorations, savannas, wetlands, and rare species.

+ Collaborate with natural resource professionals, partners, and educational organizations to train stakeholders in the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management and ways to integrate them into resource planning and management activities

+ Collect, analyze, compile, and integrate data on plants (including rare plant species) and ecological communities, so that scientific knowledge is available to support resource protection, restoration, conservation, and management decisions.

+ Conduct administrative responsibilities according to state standards so that activities comply with department and state policies.

+ Stay current in the fields of ecology, ecosystem management, restoration, and land use planning so that scientifically rigorous approaches are utilized in conserving native plants and plant communities. Participate in continuing education related to collaboration/conflict resolution, team building, and citizen involvement. Engage in professional development activities and training to continuously improve skills.

+ Assist in special projects for the Division of Parks and Trails, e.g., monitoring prairies. Duties include data collection, data analysis, and report generation.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. This position will require reporting to the primary work location on a regular basis.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in ecology, botany, conservation biology, natural resource management, or closely related field with an emphasis in ecology.

+ Three years professional experience coordinating and integrating conservation of rare species, biodiversity, and ecological approaches into sustainable management of prairie, wetland, and forest communities.

+ Experience using personal computers, including demonstrated competence in word processing, spreadsheets, and Geographic Information Systems, specifically ArcMap or ArcPro.

+ Experience using technology to collect survey data such as Survey 123, Avenza, and Field Maps.

+ Experience collecting and analyzing data; specifically pertaining to: community ecology, landscape ecology, plant taxonomy, prairie management, vegetation sampling and analysis.

+ Experience conducting surveys of native plants and/or plant communities .

+ Technical writing skills sufficient to prepare and disseminate information to a variety of audiences.

+ Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral format to the public and professionals in the field.

+ Ability to integrate ecological information and priorities with social and economic factors and make recommendations to secure protection of natural features.

+ Ability to determine impacts of actions on rare species and habitats and propose actions to avoid or minimize adverse impacts.

+ Knowledge of sustainable prairie management and prairie restoration techniques.

+ Knowledge of common and rare Minnesota plants sufficient to classify native plant communities and document and describe conservation values

+ Knowledge of native plants and plant communities that occur in the South Region of MN.

+ Ability to navigate in remote areas using a compass, maps, and GPS equipment.

+ Public relations, team building, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Advanced degree in plant ecology, landscape ecology, botany, or closely related field.

+ Experience using relevé sampling or other relevant vegetation sampling models, e.g., meander surveys, nested plots, line transects.

+ Experience conducting surveys or working with native plants and plant communities in Minnesota.

+ Experience with restoration of native plant communities.

+ Knowledge of invasive species in Minnesota.

+ A thorough understanding of native plant communities and native flora of the South Region.

+ Experience in community ecology, landscape ecology, plant taxonomy, prairie management, vegetation sampling and analysis.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record. Per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

+ Conflict of Interest Review

+ Criminal History Check

+ Education Verification

+ Employment Reference / Records Check

+ License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.